ISTANBUL (2010 FIBA World Championship) – The United States of America beat Lithuania 89-74 to book their place in the final of the 2010 FIBA World Championship.
The Americans return to the Gold Medal game in the biggest international basketball competition for the first time in 16 years. They last made it to that stage of the competition in 1994 and went on to win on that occasion.
Mike Krzyzewski’s men will face Serbia or hosts Turkey in Sunday’s decider.
Kevin Durant erupted for 38 points to set a new American single-game record at the FIBA World Championship. Carmelo Anthony held the mark previously with 35 against Italy in 2006. After the game Durant visited with FIBATV.com.
Linas Kleiza edged Lithuania in front 11-9 with 5:23 to go in the period, but Kestutis Kemzura’s men then went almost four minutes without a single point and the USA took full advantage to reel off 12 unanswered points.
Durant – who had 17 points in the first quarter alone – capped the run from beyond the arc for his team’s first double-digit lead 21-11.
The Lithuanians struggled to get any shots to fall as they made just five of 16 attempts compared to nine of 18 for the Americans in the first period.
Up 23-12 to start the second quarter, Russell Westbrook, Durant and Lamar Odom all scored as part of a 6-0 run that made it 29-14.
Andre Iguodala and Odom later worked the give-and-go to perfection as the former cut and received a pin-point bounce pass from the latter for a two-hand dunk and a 31-17 advantage.
Martynas Pocius connected from beyond the arc and Kleiza made a pair of free-throws to cut the deficit to 33-25. However, the Americans soon re-established their dominance at both ends of the court.
Westbrook hustled back and swatted Mantas Kalnietis’ lay-up and hit a pair at the charity stripe at the other end to re-establish a double-digit lead, 35-25.
Later on, Odom blocked Kleiza and Javtokas and at the other end Durant knocked down his third three-pointer of the game for 24 first-half points.
Pocius made a pair of foul shots and the Americans took a 42-27 lead at the break. The Lithuanias shot a meagre nine of 36 from the field in the first half.
Jonas Maciulis buried two three-pointer early in the third quarter and Lithuania got within 50-40 when Mantas Kalnietisdialled in from long range.
The USA answered right back with nine unanswered points to take their biggest lead.
Durant hit from beyond the arc and then caught an Odom outlet before feeding a streaking Rudy Gay in stride for a two-handed throwdown.
Kevin Love hit two free-throws for a 59-40 cushion.
The Lithuanians showed they were finding their scoring touch as Tomas Delininkaitis scored eight quick points to make it 61-51
Westbrook and Paulus Jankunas traded baskets in the final minute and Love scored inside in the closing seconds of the period as the Americans take a 65-53 lead into the final frame.
Chauncey Billups buried a top of the key three-pointer to put the USA up 69-55 and while Lithuania got back within 11 on several occasions, the Americans always seemed to have an answer.
Durant hit his fifth three-pointer of the night and a wing jumper for an 84-67 cushion to put the game away.
Westbrook and Stephen Curry applied the finishing touches.
The Americans return to the Gold Medal game in the biggest international basketball competition for the first time in 16 years. They last made it to that stage of the competition in 1994 and went on to win on that occasion.
Mike Krzyzewski’s men will face Serbia or hosts Turkey in Sunday’s decider.
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| Kevin Durant |
Linas Kleiza edged Lithuania in front 11-9 with 5:23 to go in the period, but Kestutis Kemzura’s men then went almost four minutes without a single point and the USA took full advantage to reel off 12 unanswered points.
Durant – who had 17 points in the first quarter alone – capped the run from beyond the arc for his team’s first double-digit lead 21-11.
The Lithuanians struggled to get any shots to fall as they made just five of 16 attempts compared to nine of 18 for the Americans in the first period.
Up 23-12 to start the second quarter, Russell Westbrook, Durant and Lamar Odom all scored as part of a 6-0 run that made it 29-14.
Andre Iguodala and Odom later worked the give-and-go to perfection as the former cut and received a pin-point bounce pass from the latter for a two-hand dunk and a 31-17 advantage.
Martynas Pocius connected from beyond the arc and Kleiza made a pair of free-throws to cut the deficit to 33-25. However, the Americans soon re-established their dominance at both ends of the court.
Westbrook hustled back and swatted Mantas Kalnietis’ lay-up and hit a pair at the charity stripe at the other end to re-establish a double-digit lead, 35-25.
Later on, Odom blocked Kleiza and Javtokas and at the other end Durant knocked down his third three-pointer of the game for 24 first-half points.
Pocius made a pair of foul shots and the Americans took a 42-27 lead at the break. The Lithuanias shot a meagre nine of 36 from the field in the first half.
Jonas Maciulis buried two three-pointer early in the third quarter and Lithuania got within 50-40 when Mantas Kalnietisdialled in from long range.
The USA answered right back with nine unanswered points to take their biggest lead.
Durant hit from beyond the arc and then caught an Odom outlet before feeding a streaking Rudy Gay in stride for a two-handed throwdown.
Kevin Love hit two free-throws for a 59-40 cushion.
The Lithuanians showed they were finding their scoring touch as Tomas Delininkaitis scored eight quick points to make it 61-51
Westbrook and Paulus Jankunas traded baskets in the final minute and Love scored inside in the closing seconds of the period as the Americans take a 65-53 lead into the final frame.
Chauncey Billups buried a top of the key three-pointer to put the USA up 69-55 and while Lithuania got back within 11 on several occasions, the Americans always seemed to have an answer.
Durant hit his fifth three-pointer of the night and a wing jumper for an 84-67 cushion to put the game away.
Westbrook and Stephen Curry applied the finishing touches.
Quotes:
Mike Krzyzewski (USA head coach): “No one has played with more heart than they did and I thought tonight we played as hard as they did. We felt like we beat an outstanding team tonight. We are honoured to be in the championship game, especially this World Championship. There have been so many close games in this tournament. To be one of the two teams to play in the final, you hope you can take advantage of the moment.
Andre Iguodala (USA forward following his defensive effort on Linas Kleiza): “In the NBA they don't allow hand checking, so you can't stop guys. Here they let you play a little bit more defence. There's great ball players all over the world, and you just try to slow them down.”
Kestutis Kemzura (Lithuania head coach): “I want to congratulate this US team, their coaches, fans. They played a great game and they deserved to win. From the start they controlled the game. We tried to come back, from 19 or 20 back to 11 or 12, but that was all we could do.
(On Kevin Durant): “It’s very hard to stop Kevin Durant one-on-one, you have to pick your poison.”
Martynas Pocius (Lithuania guard): “You have just got to hope they (USA) miss shots. That's the only way you I think you can stay in the game.”
Mike Krzyzewski (USA head coach): “No one has played with more heart than they did and I thought tonight we played as hard as they did. We felt like we beat an outstanding team tonight. We are honoured to be in the championship game, especially this World Championship. There have been so many close games in this tournament. To be one of the two teams to play in the final, you hope you can take advantage of the moment.
Andre Iguodala (USA forward following his defensive effort on Linas Kleiza): “In the NBA they don't allow hand checking, so you can't stop guys. Here they let you play a little bit more defence. There's great ball players all over the world, and you just try to slow them down.”
Kestutis Kemzura (Lithuania head coach): “I want to congratulate this US team, their coaches, fans. They played a great game and they deserved to win. From the start they controlled the game. We tried to come back, from 19 or 20 back to 11 or 12, but that was all we could do.
(On Kevin Durant): “It’s very hard to stop Kevin Durant one-on-one, you have to pick your poison.”
Martynas Pocius (Lithuania guard): “You have just got to hope they (USA) miss shots. That's the only way you I think you can stay in the game.”
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| Kerem Tunceri |
ISTANBUL (2010 FIBA World Championship) – Kerem Tunceri scored a game-winning lay-up as Turkey edged out Serbia 83-82 to set up a showdown with the USA in Sunday’s final of the 2010 FIBA World Championship.
Hosts Turkey make it through to the tournament’s decider for the first time and are assured of taking their first ever medal in the event.
Down 82-81 with 4.3 seconds to play, Bogdan Tanjevic’s men inbounded the ball to Hedo Turkoglu, who lost control on the left wing, but Tunceri got to the ball first and was a step ahead of the defenders as he drove hard to the hole for the biggest basket of his career.
Serbia had 0.5 seconds left and opted for a lob to Novica Velickovic, but his attempt was deflected as time ran out.
The defeat means Dusan Ivkovic’s team will go up against Lithuania in the Bronze Medal game.
Tunceri was clutch in the fourth quarter. With Turkey down 75-71 and a little over four minutes left to play, he scored five consecutive points to edge them in front and make a game of it.
The point guard drove to the basket and then buried a three-pointer on the next trip down the floor.
A free-throw shooting contest then ensued.
Omer Onan made a pair to stretch the hosts’ lead to 78-75, but Serbia got within 78-77 as Dusko Savanovic sank two of his own with 1:37 left to play.
Milos Teodosic then fouled Omer Asik hard and the big man left the game holding his face, seemingly getting swiped around his right eye area. Ender Arslan was subbed in for him and took the free-throws in his place, hitting one of two for 79-77 with 1:17.
Krstic split a pair from the charity stripe just inside the final minute. Marko Keselj was fouled with 28 seconds to go when he skied high for a rebound off a Teodosic miss and sank both foul shots to edge Serbia back in front 80-79.
Tunceri ran down the clock and drove the lane, sucking in the defense before feeding Semih Erden for a dunk and a foul with 16.8 seconds to go.
The big man missed the free-throw and at the other end Aleksandar Rasic passed it to Novica Velickovic for a lay-up and an 82-81 lead with 4.3 seconds to go.
That though proved to be enough time for Turkey to perform one last miracle.
The game was close for the most part but Serbia were in the ascendancy until Tunceri went on his mini run.
Serbia were up 15-8 on Novica Velickovic’s three-pointer before Turkey ran off seven straight points to tie it at 15.
Teodosic took over at the end of the first quarter to give Serbia a 20-17 lead.
Sinan Guler converted a three-point play that cut the deficit to 26-25 early in the second period before Savanovic went on a personal 7-0 run to push Serbia’s advantage to 33-25.
It was 35-31 when Arslan buried a three-pointer, but Keselj then sank one of his own for 38-31.
Nenad Krstic and Keselj made it a 42-35 score as the teams headed to the locker room.
Semih Erden converted a three-point play to start the second half and Onan later dialled in from beyond the arc to tie the game at 46.
Teodosic racked up the assists – he finished with 11 – as he fed Aleksandar Rasic for an easy two inside and Keselj for an open three in an 8-0 spurt that pushed Serbia’s advantage to 54-46 midway through the third period.
Arslan connected from long range and Gonlum made a free-throw to cap a 7-0 run that got the hosts within 56-55.
Keselj and Arslan traded long bombs and Gonlum trimmed the deficit to 62-60. However, he then fouled Savanovic who made one of two attempts from the foul line as Serbia went into the final frame up 63-60.
Krstic picked up his fourth foul early in the fourth quarter but stayed in and made a pair of free-throws for a 65-61 advantage.
Turkoglu entered the game as Ilyasova picked his fourth foul and made his presence felt right away as he hit a three-pointer that got Turkey within 66-64.
Teodosic found Keselj for another clutch three-pointer that made it 69-64 with 6:32 to play.
Teodosic buried another long bomb and Kerem Tunceri answered with one of his own at the other end.
Savanovic put his team up 75-69 before Asik scored on a putback and Tunceri then went on his personal 5-0 run to edge Turkey back in front.
Hosts Turkey make it through to the tournament’s decider for the first time and are assured of taking their first ever medal in the event.
Down 82-81 with 4.3 seconds to play, Bogdan Tanjevic’s men inbounded the ball to Hedo Turkoglu, who lost control on the left wing, but Tunceri got to the ball first and was a step ahead of the defenders as he drove hard to the hole for the biggest basket of his career.
Serbia had 0.5 seconds left and opted for a lob to Novica Velickovic, but his attempt was deflected as time ran out.
The defeat means Dusan Ivkovic’s team will go up against Lithuania in the Bronze Medal game.
Tunceri was clutch in the fourth quarter. With Turkey down 75-71 and a little over four minutes left to play, he scored five consecutive points to edge them in front and make a game of it.
The point guard drove to the basket and then buried a three-pointer on the next trip down the floor.
A free-throw shooting contest then ensued.
Omer Onan made a pair to stretch the hosts’ lead to 78-75, but Serbia got within 78-77 as Dusko Savanovic sank two of his own with 1:37 left to play.
Milos Teodosic then fouled Omer Asik hard and the big man left the game holding his face, seemingly getting swiped around his right eye area. Ender Arslan was subbed in for him and took the free-throws in his place, hitting one of two for 79-77 with 1:17.
Krstic split a pair from the charity stripe just inside the final minute. Marko Keselj was fouled with 28 seconds to go when he skied high for a rebound off a Teodosic miss and sank both foul shots to edge Serbia back in front 80-79.
Tunceri ran down the clock and drove the lane, sucking in the defense before feeding Semih Erden for a dunk and a foul with 16.8 seconds to go.
The big man missed the free-throw and at the other end Aleksandar Rasic passed it to Novica Velickovic for a lay-up and an 82-81 lead with 4.3 seconds to go.
That though proved to be enough time for Turkey to perform one last miracle.
The game was close for the most part but Serbia were in the ascendancy until Tunceri went on his mini run.
Serbia were up 15-8 on Novica Velickovic’s three-pointer before Turkey ran off seven straight points to tie it at 15.
Teodosic took over at the end of the first quarter to give Serbia a 20-17 lead.
Sinan Guler converted a three-point play that cut the deficit to 26-25 early in the second period before Savanovic went on a personal 7-0 run to push Serbia’s advantage to 33-25.
It was 35-31 when Arslan buried a three-pointer, but Keselj then sank one of his own for 38-31.
Nenad Krstic and Keselj made it a 42-35 score as the teams headed to the locker room.
Semih Erden converted a three-point play to start the second half and Onan later dialled in from beyond the arc to tie the game at 46.
Teodosic racked up the assists – he finished with 11 – as he fed Aleksandar Rasic for an easy two inside and Keselj for an open three in an 8-0 spurt that pushed Serbia’s advantage to 54-46 midway through the third period.
Arslan connected from long range and Gonlum made a free-throw to cap a 7-0 run that got the hosts within 56-55.
Keselj and Arslan traded long bombs and Gonlum trimmed the deficit to 62-60. However, he then fouled Savanovic who made one of two attempts from the foul line as Serbia went into the final frame up 63-60.
Krstic picked up his fourth foul early in the fourth quarter but stayed in and made a pair of free-throws for a 65-61 advantage.
Turkoglu entered the game as Ilyasova picked his fourth foul and made his presence felt right away as he hit a three-pointer that got Turkey within 66-64.
Teodosic found Keselj for another clutch three-pointer that made it 69-64 with 6:32 to play.
Teodosic buried another long bomb and Kerem Tunceri answered with one of his own at the other end.
Savanovic put his team up 75-69 before Asik scored on a putback and Tunceri then went on his personal 5-0 run to edge Turkey back in front.
Quotes
Bogdan Tanjevic (Turkey head coach) : “You think the last four seconds were down to tactics, it was nothing except luck. Our thoughts were simply on getting the basket. We were lucky tonight, they played better than us. It was a miracle drive. This was the toughest game for us.”
Kerem Tunceri (Turkey point guard) : “I had the lay-up so I took it. In the last four seconds, you don’t see anything, you don’t hear anything. It was perhaps the most important game for us. We tried hard, we fought. I think it was a fascinating game. From the beginning of tournament we have been fighting. At crucial stages, we went behind but we bounced back.”
Dusan Ivkovic (Serbia head coach) : “It was a very tough game tonight. We won the first half by seven points but we had less control in the second half and unfortunately, we lost our concentration because of the pressure in the last couple of minutes. Maybe luck turned against us with Tunceri’s basket in the last seconds. I think the Serbian team was better tonight. We deserved the win. We have to unite and prepare a small final for third place. I wish the best for Turkish team.”
Milenko Tepic (Serbia guard) : “It was a very tough game. We fought very well. Congratulations to Turkey. We have to get ready for tomorrow’s game.
Bogdan Tanjevic (Turkey head coach) : “You think the last four seconds were down to tactics, it was nothing except luck. Our thoughts were simply on getting the basket. We were lucky tonight, they played better than us. It was a miracle drive. This was the toughest game for us.”
Kerem Tunceri (Turkey point guard) : “I had the lay-up so I took it. In the last four seconds, you don’t see anything, you don’t hear anything. It was perhaps the most important game for us. We tried hard, we fought. I think it was a fascinating game. From the beginning of tournament we have been fighting. At crucial stages, we went behind but we bounced back.”
Dusan Ivkovic (Serbia head coach) : “It was a very tough game tonight. We won the first half by seven points but we had less control in the second half and unfortunately, we lost our concentration because of the pressure in the last couple of minutes. Maybe luck turned against us with Tunceri’s basket in the last seconds. I think the Serbian team was better tonight. We deserved the win. We have to unite and prepare a small final for third place. I wish the best for Turkish team.”
Milenko Tepic (Serbia guard) : “It was a very tough game. We fought very well. Congratulations to Turkey. We have to get ready for tomorrow’s game.
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